Olympic runner-up in the pole vault from the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics and gold medalist from the Birmingham 2018 World Indoor Championships Sandi Morris (USA) is ready for another battle with the competition at the World Championship on home soil in Eugene.
The two-time outdoor world silver medalist suffered the worst nightmare of her career at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when her pole broke in qualifying and she was unable to continue due to injury. It ended her hopes of another podium finish after taking silver in Rio.
“The injury at the Olympics was a turning point in my life because it made me realize that I had probably the worst thing that could happen to me in sport, but I’m fine. That’s the key – to keep going and try again”, said Sandi Morris.
The athlete’s persistence paid off in March when she won her second indoor title in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and remains unbeaten on the year at 11 events. Sandi Morris, 30, said she believed she had a strong shot at gold, clearing 4.82m at the US championships last month.
“As long as I know I’ve performed to the best of my ability, then I’m OK. I say this from experience. I won silver in Rio, I took silver in London in 2017, and silver in Doha in 2019”, she added.
Among the most dangerous competitors of Sandi Morris in Eugene is expected to be the Olympic champion and her compatriot Katie Nageotte, with whom she trains. The 31-year-old athlete cleared 4.80 meters in February.
“Everyone has their day if they train. That’s exactly what I want to do – fight and maybe I’ll have my day”, added Sandi Morris.
The World Athletics Championships will start on July 24 in Eugene, Oregon (USA).
